WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator Susan Collins today issued the following statement in response to the one-month progress report on the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit released by Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt.
"I want to thank Secretary Leavitt for taking quick and necessary action to identify and rectify the serious errors and miscalculations with the new Medicare Part D program that went into effect on January 1st," said Senator Collins. "Secretary Leavitt assured me last month that the State of Maine will be reimbursed for the more than $4 million dollars that it had already spent to prevent a disruption of prescription drug benefits for seniors enrolled in the new Medicare drug plans. Today's progress report takes a hard look at what is working and what needs to improve. I am particularly pleased that Secretary Leavitt has announced that the 30-day transition coverage will be extended for an additional 60-days.
"Although there have been some serious problems, the Secretary's report outlines action steps that Medicare is taking to ensure that this new benefit works for all who depend on it."
A copy of Secretary Leavitt's full report is available at http://www.hhs.gov/secretaryspage.html.